Liposuction Alternatives Brisbane

Liposuction Alternatives

In this day and age we are completely spoiled with the selection of options. Statistics have shown that liposuction rates in Brisbane and the Gold Coast have gone down, while non-invasive body contouring procedures such as CoolSculpting, SculpSure, CoolTech and radiofrequency skin tightening are on the rise.

What is the cause of decreasing liposuction cases in Brisbane?

Liposuction is still an excellent modality for the treatment of large areas of fat. Provided it is performed by specialists, this treatment is both reliable and safe. The safest form of liposuction is tumescent liposuction, whereby large areas of fat are treated with diluted anaesthetic prior to the procedure. Patients are often sedated with small doses of Valium but remain awake during the process. Liposuction procedures can define and treat unwanted fat on the abdomen, flanks, buttocks, thighs, arms, and even under the chin. Depending on the selected area, each liposuction treatment will take between 30 minutes and 6 hours to perform. Up to two litres of fat can be removed in one liposuction session. The primary drawback to liposuction is the high cost from additional ancillaries such as anaesthetic and nursing support. In some cases, the procedure itself can cost upwards of $30,000.*

Another drawback to liposuction is the required post-procedure downtime. Patients will be off work for between several days and a week, depending on the extensiveness of the procedure. Post-procedure recovery is often painful, with a marked limitation of activities. Additionally, compression garments will need to be applied after the procedure and follow up care is essential.

What other treatment options provide the most reliable method for removing my unwanted fat?

Essentially fat can be permanently destroyed by two reliable method, namely cooling or heating.*

The most reliable method is cryolipolysis. This term refers to the freezing of fat to a temperature between -7° to -11° C for a period of 35 minutes to 60 minutes. Generation one machines came out in 2010 in the United States and Australia followed shortly thereafter in 2011. These machines were known as CoolSculpting.

Within the last several years they have upgraded their models and now the CoolSculpting advantage can treat large areas of unwanted fat in a short time frame*. The latest generation of cryolipolysis machines include CoolTech. This machine is like CoolSculpting in that it freezes fat away, but the difference lies in the applicator sizing and depth.

At the Fiori Institute of Skin and Body we use all forms of CoolSculpting, including generation one machines through to generation two CoolSculpting machines, as well as CoolTech.

How does Cryolipolysis/ CoolSculpting/ CoolTech work?

Scientific evidence has shown that if fat is frozen to below subzero for a specific period (between 35 to 60 minutes depending on the device) the fat tissue is permanently destroyed.*

What happens to the destroyed fat after the CoolSculpting/ CoolTech procedure?

After the procedure, the unwanted fat is then cleared out by your body's immune response. Essentially, your lymphatic system breaks down this fat and over time there is a gradual reduction in unwanted fat. This often takes between two to four months to see the best results following your CoolSculpting/CoolTech treatments.*

What other ways are there to destroy unwanted fat?

While cryolipolysis is the most reliable method, another method of destroying unwanted fat is by applying heat. For heating, we use two devices to heat the fat to a temperature of between 42° to 43° C.

The most reliable method for reducing fat by up to 24% is with a diode laser known as SculpSure. This uses a diode laser close to the 1064 nm wavelength through a sapphire cooling system. It delivers heat gently over 25 minutes. Heat, much like cooling, breaks down unwanted fat cells over this time.*

We also use two different forms of phase-controlled radiofrequency technology to heat fat. The first is with the EndyMed 3 deep system. In this setting we use the EndyMed PRO Shaper for large areas. The Shaper 3 deep can reduce the appearance of cellulite, as well as unwanted fat. This method is also used to tighten skin around the abdominal area.*

The third heating system we use is Thermage. Thermage is not used to treat unwanted fat, however, it can be used to tighten abdominal skin as well as facial skin. This method has limited use in regards to fat reduction.*

How do I know which device would be best suited to removing my unwanted fat?

At the Fiori Institute of Skin and Body we have access to over 10 body contouring and fat reduction/skin tightening devices. We provide personalised assessments for each patient, which often combine multiple device treatments to deliver the best possible results.*